Bacillus anthracis is a type of bacteria that causes an acute disease called anthrax. Bacillus anthracis can infect both animals and humans. Bacillus anthracis is able to form a bacterial spore and is able to survive for prolonged period of time, even for centuries, in any harsh and mild conditions. When the spores of Bacillus anthracis are inhaled, swallowed or adhered to a lesion, they get reactivated and start rapid multiplication in the body of host.

An important feature of Bacillus anthracis is it doesn’t spread from one person to another by direct contact. It gets spread by clothes, shoes and utensils used by infected person. The bacterium was discovered in 1876 by Robert Koch. The major symptoms of the disease are identified from cutaneous sites, gastrointestinal and pulmonary infections. Pulmonary infections such as, cold, flu, pneumonia and respiratory failure are considered as important indications for Bacillus anthracis infections. Whereas, major gastrointestinal symptoms include chronic GI pain, severe diarrhea and vomiting of blood. The anthrax caused to skin is also called as Hide Porter’s disease. This is very chronic and life-threatening disease in which the skin develops black center spotted boiled skin lesions. Although life-threatening, it does not cause any pain or sensation to patient, but gradually converts into necrotic ulcer. Diagnosis of Bacillus anthracis infection is done by gram test in laboratory, Ascoli test, PCR assays, chest CT scan and immunofluroscence microscopical diagnostic tests.

Global Bacillus Anthracis Infections Market: Major Segments

The market of Bacillus anthracis infection is segmented on the basis of treatments, such as, preventive treatment and disease treatment. Prevention treatment is divided into vaccines such as, Pasteur’s vaccine, Sterne’s vaccine, British anthrax vaccines, Russian Anthrax vaccines, and American anthrax vaccines (BioThrax) and prophylaxis care. Further, infection treatment include antibiotics (penicillin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, doxycycline and others), monoclonal antibodies, such as, Raxibacumab and others. Additionally, the market is segmented on the basis of geography, such as, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). At present, North America and Europe are the most prominent markets, owing to growing prevalence of Bacillus anthracis infection and anthrax disease. However, Asia-Pacific and some countries in RoW region are expected to show very lucrative growth in the upcoming period, owing to rapidly growing prevalence and awareness about anthrax.

Global Bacillus Anthracis Infections Market: Drivers and Restraints

The market of Bacillus anthracis is expected to increase steadily during forecast period 2014 – 2020. This growth is anticipated to be driven by fatal nature of the disease, R&D practices to develop more efficient and specific drugs, rising awareness about the disease and use of anthrax spores for bioterrorism and bioweapons. Steadily growing prevalence and mortal nature of anthrax (although considered as orphan disease) are the most important drivers of this market. Since last few centuries, anthrax has killed millions of human and animal across the world. The mortality rate is around 80-85%. Further, due to rising threat of bio warfare and bioterrorism, this threat is expected to increase exponentially. Henceforth, the market is expected to grow at steady rate in the upcoming 5-10 years. Furthermore, due to R&D practices, a number of new formulations, such as, epimerox, CF-306, PMX-0231, PMX-225, EV-009 and many others are under pipeline studies and expected to enter in the market during forecast period 2014 – 2020. Entry of these formulations may propel the market growth to higher end. However, major hurdles include high cost of treatment and ignorance and false diagnosis of the symptoms, which may decrease the market growth to certain extent.